Fluid actuated jacking frame

ABSTRACT

A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo from one position to another wherein the hoisting mechanism comprises a load beam moved vertically upwardly and downwardly in an inverted U-shaped bridge like structure by two rams providing step by step vertical travel while periodically repositioning themselves on the bridge like structure.

United States Patent Pelts Jan. 8, 1974 [54] FLUID ACTUATED JACKING FRAME 3,049,242 8/1962 Stevens 212/70 4 7 P 212 70 [76] Inventor: Cecil A. Pelts, 2500 N. 24th Ave., 279% 195 Phoenix, Ariz. 85009 Primary ExaminerR1chard A. Schacher [22] F'led: 1972 Assistant Examiner-Gene A. Church [21] APPL NOJ 29 Att0rney-Warren F. B. Lindsley [52] US. Cl 212/14, 212/57, 212/64 [57] ABSTRACT A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo I o earc 5 6 from one position to another wherein the hoisting mechanism com rises a load beam moved vertically dl d d dl d U h d upwar y an ownwar y m an mverte -s ape [56] References Clted bridge like structure by two rams providing step by UNITED STATES PATENTS step vertical travel while periodically repositioning 2,772,004 11/1956 Noble 212/ 13 themselves on the bridge like structure. 3,259,250 7/1966 Parker 3,366,251 1/1968 Strnad 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAH 8 I974 SHEET 10$ 4 PATENTEDJAN 81914 33841329 sum 2 11; 4

PATENTED JAN 8 I974 SHEET 3 0F 4 PATENTEUJAH a 974 SHEET 0F 4 1 FLUID ACTUATED JACKING FRAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, bridge like structures placed across a loading area utilized a traveler run transversely between its legs with frequently in the past only a chain worked by hand for elevating the cargo. These cranes have been greatly elaborated and now utilize electric or fluid operated means for elevating and moving the cargo along the ground.

om f th rs sqtavsra are Qi p handling loads of 100 tons or more with ease and speed. However, these gauntry cranes whether arranged to run on tracks laid on the ground or mounted on elevated trucks are expensive.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Heretofore, jacking frames have been built utilizing four vertical members in a cumbersome bolted array which have been subject to dangerous racking forces when handling heavy loads upon shifting foundations. Any form of step lifting cycle operation was not accurately controlled thereby resulting in alignment difficulty in the structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed, an improved hoisting and transporting machine is provided employing step by step, under controlled fluid action, lifting and lowering load operations by means of a simple fluid actuated jacking mechanism.

It is, therefore, one object of the invention to provide an improved hoisting and transporting fluid actuated jacking frame.

Another object of this invention is to provide two single point bearing columns for an inverted U-shaped bridge like structure for supporting a load beam therebetween which is raised and lowered by a step by step jacking mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide ajacking frame employing improved metallic guide slide bolts for positioning a fluid actuated cylinder in one of a plurality of positions on the spaced vertical columns of the frame without binding and metal distortion.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fixed crane utilizing hydraulic cylinders for step by step vertical movement of a cargo which substantially eliminates transverse motion of the lifting and lowering mechanism.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple and economically field erected fluid actuated jacking frame.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a fluid actuated jacking frame assembly of this invention erected over.

a railroad track with its functioning components positioned to lift a heavy object from the bed of a railroad flat car and moving it laterally therefrom for lowering it on to the bed of a suitable conveyance means such as a truck. The railroad flat car, heavy object, and the truck are shown in phantom (dot-dash) lines.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the jacking frame assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the method of mounting the vertical column assemblies on the longitudinal base beams.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing a portion of one of the vertical column assemblies, with a plurality of paralleled and horizontally aligned, equally spaced key-hole shaped slots in the side faces of the box beams which form the vertical columns orjacking frame towers. The upper and lower cross-head members with their fluid actuated rams are interspersed therebetween and supported on the hori- Zontal loadbeam. The workmans support platform or elevator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been removed for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing the means and method for insertion and withdraw] of the load transferring bolts into or from the key-holed shaped slots in the vertical box girder or beam by the workman standing on his support platform (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 4 through the upper cross-head and the vertical box girders or beams showing the load transferring bolts inserted in the key-hole shaped aligned slots in the parallel beams.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are diagramatic elevational views, partly in section and similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the sequence of operation and positioning of the various components as the load-beam is jacked, step by step, up or down as required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings'for a more detailed description of the construction and other features of the invention by characters of reference, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an inverted U-shaped jacking frame 10 comprising a pair of vertical column or tower assemblies 1 1 and a horizontally mounted cross beam assembly 12. Assembly 12 joins the top ends of the tower assemblies together for maintaining parallel relationship thereof and also providing width variations of the jacking frame.

Each of the tower assemblies 11 is preferably mounted on a column or point on a support pedestal l3. Pedestal 13 is welded to the top surface of longitudinally extending base or supporting beam 14. Beams 14 are adapted to rest on a compact and level surface of the ground, roadway or concrete slab 15 over which the jacking frame is erected.

To provide plumbing adjustments, vertically and laterally, each tower assembly is provided with suitable V bracing in the form of a threaded adjustable turnbuckle 16 which extends diagonally from a pivot bracket 17 mounted on the top surface of the longitudinal positioned beams 14 to a pivot bracket 18 secured to the top rear side of the tower assembly. Additional side bracing of an adjustable turnbuckle type, as shown in dotted line at 19 in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be utilized ifdesired to further stabilize the plumbing adjustment of the tower assemblies.

The horizontal cross beam assembly 12 comprises a pair of box sections 20 which are assembled in parallel relationship and joined together in spaced relationship by suitable transverse box sections 21 to form the assembly 12. The inner and outer side faces of the horizontal box sections 20 are adapted to extend in slidable relationship between upwardly projecting brackets 22 formed on the top of the tower assemblies 1 l. Brackets 22 are each provided with vertically and horizontally aligned clearance holes which are adapted to align and mate with any one of several clearance holes 23, preferably equally spaced in the inner and outer faces of the box sections 20. These clearance holes 23 are arranged to receive removable pins or bolts 24 which support the horizontal cross-beam assembly 12 slightly above the top end surface of tower assemblies 11.

The above described feature provides for simple and easy adjustment laterally of the cross-beam assembly 12 to vary the width or distance between the tower assemblies 11. This may occur by manual relocation of the tower supporting beams 14 to obtain the desired overall width of the jacking frame assembly 10. Two pairs of adjustable, turnbuckle type braces 25 are pivotally connected at one end to opposed faces of vertical box section beams 27 which form the tower assemblies 11, and extend diagonally upwardly therefrom and are connected at their other ends by means of a clevis arrangement and removable pins or bolts 28 to an aligned set of clearance holes 23 in the box section 20 of the horizontal cross beam assembly 12.

The diagonal braces 25 may be manually adjusted to provide rigidity and strength to the jacking frame assembly l and to maintain a substantially right angle relationship between the tower assemblies 11 and the horizontal cross-beam assembly 12 during the lifting operationv As mentioned before, the vertical column or tower assemblies 1 1 each comprise a pair of box section beams 27 vertically arranged and rigidly tied together at their top ends by a suitable transverse spacer beam 29 and at their bottom ends by a transverse base mounting member 30. Each pair of box section vertical beams 27 are in vertical parallel spaced relationship to provide an open space 31 from top to bottom of each tower assembly 11. In this space in each assembly a horizontal load beam'32, upper cross-head members 33, lower cross-head members 34 and a fluid actuated pressure ram 35 are adapted to move step by step up or down in a manner which will be hereinafter explained.

The transverse base mounting members 30 as shown in FIG. 3 are each'provided with large diameter, centrally located bearing pins 36 which are welded securely to the top and bottom plates of the base members on the exact vertical center line 37 of the vertically extending space 31 formed between beams 27 and extend beyond the bottom of the bases where they are adapted to be loosely received in boxes 38 of support pedestals 13. These bearing pins 36 rest at their bottom concave or rounded ends on hardened bearing blocks 39 in the bottom of bores 38 to thereby form two single point bearing means which are adapted to support the entire weight of the inverted U-shaped jacking frame assembly 10. In order to provide for this type of adjustment the fit of bearings pins 36 in bores 38 must be loose enough so that they may be rotated slightly about their rounded ends under the effort of the turnbuckle or braces 19 and 25.

The upper and lower cross-head members 33 and 34, respectively, are of substantially similar construction and are clearly illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. They each consist of an H-shaped structure, formed of transverse side plates 33 and 34, which extend to the near outer edges of the vertical box sections 27 and are formed into integral units by bottom platforms 40 and 41 and relatively thick solid top portions 40 and 41, respectively. The other ends of the side plates 33 and 34 are adapted to straddle the inner and outer side faces of the vertical beams 27 in close proximity and in sliding relation therewith. The depending side members of the box platforms 40 and 41 are designed to lie close to the inner opposed faces of the beams 27 in sliding relationship. Thus, two pair of upper and two pair of lower cross-head members 33 and 34 are accurately guided for movement vertically up or down in a horizontal plane by a pair of fluid actuated cylinders or rams 42. Rams 42 are located on the center lines 37 of the vertical spaces 31 and are connected between top portions 40 and 41' of the crossheads 33 and 34 in a manner hereinafter more fully explained.

It should be understood that the fluid actuated rams 42' will supply the power or force necessary to perform the jacking or step action by step lifting and lowering operations of this invention and may be operated by compressed air or any substantially non-compressible fluid such as oil. The operation and controlequipment for ram 42 comprise an oil reservoir 43, a hydraulic pump enclosed in a housing 44, suitable manually operated valves 45 and hydraulic lines or hoses 46, all of which are shown in F168. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

A plurality of vertically ascending, equally spaced key-hole shaped slots 27' are formed in the inside and outside faces of the vertical box beams 27. These slots have the axial centers of their larger radial openings 47 at the top of the slots and their smaller semi-circular radial openings 48 at the bottom of the slots and arranged in exact vertical and horizontal alignment. The smaller semi-circular radial openings 48 at the bottom of the slots 27' each are provided with semi-circular sleeves 49. These sleeves have the same inner radius'as the openings 48 and extend from side to side on the inside of the vertical box beams 27. Sleeves 48 are permanently welded in place and prevent removable guide slide bolts 50 from being misaligned when they are inserted or removed from the key-hole shaped slots 27'. They also reinforce the vertical box beams 27.

' Each of the pairs of upper and lower cross-heads 33 and 34 are provided with pairs of key-hole shaped slots 51 and 52, respectively, on both' sides of the crossheads which are identical in size and shape with the key-hole shaped slots 27 in the vertical box beams 27. They also are located to mate and align with slots 27' when the cross-heads are moved vertically up or down a distance equal to the vertical spacing of the slots 27' in the beams.

Each of the pairs of key-hole shaped slots 51 and 52 in the outer sides of the cross-heads 33 and 34 are provided with pairs of semi-circular slide or sleeve members 53 and 54 which are welded to or otherwise secured to the outer faces of the cross-heads in parallel and horizontal alignment with the center line or radial axis of each sleeve. These sleeve members are in exact alignment with the radial axis of the smaller openings 48 at the bottom of the key-hole slots 27 in the vertical beams 27 and the mating slots 51 and 52 in the crossheads 33 and 34.

The semi-circular slides or sleeve members 53 and 54 extend outwardly from the outer faces of the crossheads 33 and 34 a sufficient distance to allow the full length of the sliding guide bolts 50 to rest and remain when retracted away from the key-hole slots in the beam and the identical key-hole slots in the crossheads. Sleeve members 53 and 54 are provided with upstanding tabs 55 and 56 which are utilized to limit the inward and outward movement of the guide bolts 50 when contacted by suitable handles 57 secured to the outer ends of bolts 50. The sleeve members 53 and 54 are also provided with reinforcing channel members 58 which are welded to the faces of the cross-heads and to the bottom of the sleeve members to provide greater rigidity of the same and with upstanding stop pieces 59 welded to the outer ends of the sleeves and reinforcing channels prevent accidental dislodgment of the guide bolts 50.

The sliding guide bolts 50 are adapted to be manually slid into or out of the key-hole shaped slots in the crossheads and the vertical box beams. To facilitate this operation, the outer sides of the lower cross-heads 34 are provided with pairs of depending brackets 60 which are adapted to support railed platforms 61 in any desirable manner on the outer sides of the tower assemblies 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The platforms 61 are of sufficient strength to support the weight of a workman and since they are secured to brackets 60 which are attached to the lower crossheads 34 they will be elevated or lowered with said cross-heads. They are maintained in level right angle relationship with the tower assemblies 11 by means of adjustable turnbuckles 62. Each turnbuckle is provided with a pad 63 which extends laterally across and in contact with the outside faces of the vertical beams 27 and slide up and down with the platforms.

The pair of hydraulic actuated rams are located in the center of the vertical space 31 and extend vertically between the top portions and 41' of the upper and lower cross-heads 33 and 34, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 8 and 9. Each ram comprises a stationary cylinder 64 and piston 65.

Cylinder 64 is provided at its upper end with a suitable mounting flange 66 and a cylindrical extension 67 which projects upwardly through the top portion of the platform 40 into one of several apertures in the base plate of the load-beam 32. At this point the cylindrical extension is surrounded by a suitable clamping member 68 which is secured to the mounting flange 66 by means of bolts 69. The flat upper surface of the clamping member serves as a platform upon which the bottom surface of the load-beam 32 rests. Extension 67 projects upwardly into an aperture of the bottom of the load-beam 32 and prevents lateral or shear forces exerted by the load-beam from being transferred to the hydraulic rams 35 and thence to the jacking frame structure.

The reciprocating ram or piston 65 is secured to the solid portion 41 of the lower cross-head 34 by means of a shock absorbing device 42. Device 42 comprises a depending bolt 42 which is secured to ram 65 and extends down through the top portion 41' of cross beam 34 and provides retaining means for a suitable spring 42". Spring 42" is interspersed between the bottom surface of top portion 41 of cross beam 41 and a washer which is retained on the lower end of bolt 42' by suitable locknuts. I

The horizontal load-beam 32 preferably consists of an exceptionally strong, rectangular shaped box type structure which is several times as high as it is wide, the width being determined by the size of the space 31 between the vertical beams 27, in which confined space it must move up or down, to perform its function. The beam is preferably about the same length as the horizontal cross-beam 12 to allow for overall width adjustment of the jacking frame assembly 10, as previously described. The beam is constructed with a substantially open interior through which the hydraulic lines or hoses 46 which supply oil under pressure to the hydraulic rams may travel as seen in FIG. 1. Suitable pulleys 70 may be installed in the interior of the load beam if so desired over which the hoses may travel. It should be recognized that the portion of the hoses 46 in the horizontal load-beam 32 may be permanently built into the load-beam with a disconnect coupling to the other portions of the hydraulic lines thereby eliminating the need for pulleys 70.

The top horizontal surface 71 of the load-beam 32 is provided with a pair of parallel tracks extending from end to end of the beam. Midway between the tracks, a gear rack is installed to extend the full length of the beam. The tracks and gear rack are all indicated by the reference numeral 72 in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. A pair of conveyor type carriers or load trolleys 73, supported on suitable rollers 74, are adapted to ride on the tracks. A hydraulic driven motor device 75 is provided with suitable gearing including a reversible pinion gear 76 which engages the gear rack 72 to move the motor device 75 and the trolleys 73, which are attached thereto, laterally on the top surface of the load beam.

The pair of carriers or trolleys 73 andthe hydraulic motor device 75 are shown as a single unit but may comprise two independent units if the overall space limitation between the vertical towers 11 permit.

The load carriers or trolleys are provided with several lifting ears 77 which support horizontal lifting bars 78 on both sides of the trolleys 73 to which the loops of suitable cables 79 may be securely attached. These lifting bars provide the lifting and lowering means for heavy object such as indicated at 80 and lateral transporting means for the same.

OPERATION Having described in the foregoing paragraphs, the various features and detail of construction of the fluid actuated jacking frame of this invention, reference is now made to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, which diagrammatically illustrate. the sequence of operation of the step by step jacking function of this invention which function may be quickly accomplished in a safe and efficient manner.

FIG. 7 shows the upper and lower cross-heads 33 and 34, respectively, in parallel relationship on the vertical beams 27. The semi-circular portions of the slide bolt receiving key-hole shaped slots 27' are exactly three equal spaces apart, as indicated by the dimensions A. Slide bolts 50 are inserted in the upper cross-head keyhole slots 51 and the mating key-hole slots 27' in the vertical beams 27, thus supporting the weight of the In order to raise the load-beam 32 from the position shown in FIG. 7 one step, or the distance A to the position shown in FIG. 9, an intermediate step is required as shown in FIG. 8. To accomplish this step, the guide slide bolts 50 are allowed to remain in the position shown in FIG. 7 in the upper cross-head 33 and the hydraulic pressure is relieved from the cylinder above the piston through the upper port 81. At the same time, fluid under pressure is transmitted to the lower part of the cylinder below the head ofthe piston through lower port 82 from hydraulic hoses 46. Fluid under pressure causes piston 65 to be moved upwardly its full stroke or the distance of dimension B, thus raising the lower cross-head 34 to which the lower end of the piston is attached, one full step or the dimension A.

With the pressure in the lower part of the cylinder supporting the weight of the load-beam 32, the other pair of guide bolts 50 are quickly slid into the key-hole slots 52 in the lower cross-head 34 and the mating keyhole slots 27 in the vertical beams 27. It only remains necessary to slide the guide bolts 50 out from the slots in the vertical beams 27 and the slots in the upper cross-head 33, as shown in FIG. 9, to make ready for the next step of lifting the load beam 32, one further upward step.

FIG. 9 shows this next step having been accomplished in the following manner. With the slide bolts 50 still in the key-hole slots 52 supporting the lower crosshead 34, oil pressure is relieved through the lower port 82 in cylinder 64 and allowed to enter the cylinder through the upper port 81, thus applying pressure to the top of the piston 65. As the ram is prevented from movement due to the guide pins 50 retaining the lower cross-head 34 from movement, the pressure in the cylinder 64 is exerted against the head of the cylinder to cause the cylinder itself and the upper cross-head 33 to which it attached to move upward one full stroke of the piston or the dimension B, ready for the next jacking step to be performed in a similar manner, if required.

Because the stroke of the piston 65 (dimension B) is slightly greater than the distance of one jacking step (dimension A) the upward or downward stroke of the ram or its cylinder will cause the key-hole slots 51 and 52 in their respective cross heads 33 and 34 to be moved slightly above or below their intended mating keyholes slots 27 in the vertical beams 27. This action avoids any possible interference when sliding the guide bolts 50 in or out of the key-hole slots.

To lower the load-beam 32 and its attendant load, when so desired, it is only necessary to reverse the above described procedure. It should be noted that most of the jacking operations and the transverse movement of the load carriers or trolleys 73 can be controlled remotely by one workman standing on the ground manipulating the hydraulic valves 45 and two workmen standing on the support platforms 61. These latter workmen are only required to insert or retract the sliding guide bolts 50 in the key-hole slots, simultaneously, when required. Access to the platforms 61 or any other components of the jacking frame assembly, may be had by means of the ladder arrangement of rungs 83 secured to the front faces of the column or tower assemblies 11.

It is important to note that dual pins are used to pin each cross-head to the vertical columns which pins share the load bearing reaction. Since the load of the cross-beam is above the pins some misalignment can be tolerated because of the key-hole slots and'the fact that the piston stroke is slightly larger than the distance be tween the key-hole slots.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo from one position to another comprising:

a frame,

said frame comprising a pair of spaced substantially vertically arranged columns,

a pair of cross-head assemblies one for each column,

each cross-head assembly being slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the column,

each cross-head assembly comprising a pair of vertically spaced members extending between and slidably mounted on its associated column,

a load beam positioned between said columns and supported on its ends by said cross-head assemblies;-

and means for moving said cross-head assemblies longitudinally of said columns for raising and lowering said load beam,

said means comprising a pair of fluid motors one for each of said cross-head assemblies,

said motors each comprising a-cylinder and a piston,

said cylinder of each motor being attached to one of said members of a cross-head assembly, and said piston being connected to the other of said members of said cross-head assembly,

each of said columns being provided with apertures spaced along its length,

each of said members being provided. with an aperture at each end thereof for aligning with apertures in said columns at various places along their lengths,

and pins for insertion through the apertures in said members and said columns,

one of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies being pinned to said associated column after which the fluid motor associated therewith is energized to move either its piston or cylinder relative to the other to raise and lower said load beam,

the apertures in the other of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies aligning with other apertures in said columns, one of said pins then being placed in each of said aligned apertures to support said cross-head assemblies, said one of said members of each cross-head assembly then being unpinned so that the unmoved piston or cylinder of the fluid motor may be moved relative to the other to reposition said cross-head members on said columns.

2. A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo from one position to another comprising:

a frame,

said frame comprising a pair of spaced substantially vertically arranged columns mounted on a base, the lower end of each of said columns being supported on said base in a ball and socket type joint for substantial point support of said columns on said base,

a pair of cross-head assemblies one for each column,

each cross-head assembly being slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the column,

each cross-head assembly comprising a pair of vertically spaced members extending between and slidably mounted on its associated column,

a load beam positioned between said columns and supported on its ends by said cross head assemblies,

and means for moving said cross head assemblies longitudinally of said columns for raising and lowering said load beam,

said means comprising a pair of fluid motors one for each of said cross-head assemblies,

said motors each comprising a cylinder and a piston,

said cylinder of each motor being attached to one of said members of a cross-head assembly, and said piston being connected to the other of said members of said cross-head assembly,

each of said columns being provided with apertures spaced along its length,

each of said members being provided with an aperture at each end thereof for aligning with apertures in said columns at various places along their lengths,

and pins for insertion through the apertures in said members and said columns,

one of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies being pinned to said associated column after which the fluid motor associated therewith is energized to move either its piston or cylinder relative to the other to raise and lower said load beam,

the apertures in the other of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies aligning with other apertures in said columns, one of said pins then being placed in each of said aligned apertures to support said cross-head assembly then being unpinned so that the unmoved piston or cylinder of the fluid motor may be moved relative to the other to reposition said cross-head members on said columns.

3. The jacking frame set forth in claim 2 wherein:

the lower end of each of said columns terminates in an arcuate surface for loosely fitting into a socket on said base.

4. The jacking frame set forth in claim 2 wherein:

the lower end of each of said columns terminates in a pin like structure the lower end of which is rounded, and

said socket loosely fitting around said pins.

5. A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo from one position to another comprising:

a frame,

said frame comprising a pair of spaced substantially vertically arranged columns mounted on a base, the lower end of each column being supported on said base in a ball and socket type joint for substantial point support of said columns on said base,

each of said columns comprising a pair of spaced beams,

a pair of cross-head assemblies one for each column, each cross-head assembly being arranged to span the gap between the beams of a different one of said columns and slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the column,

each cross-head assembly comprising a pair of vertically spaced members extending between and slidably mounted on said beams of its associated column,

a load beam positioned between said columns and supported on its ends by said cross-head assemblies,

means for moving said cross-head assemblies longitudinally of said beams of said columns for raising and lowering said load beam,

said means comprising a pair of fluid motors one for each of said cross-head assemblies,

said motors each comprising a cylinder and a piston,

said cylinder of each motor being attached to one of said members of a crosshead assembly, and its associated piston being connected to the other of said members of the cross-head assembly,

each ofsaid beams ofeach of said columns being provided with apertures spaced along its length,

each of said members being provided with an aperture at each end thereof for aligning with apertures in said beams at various places along their lengths,

and pins for insertion through the apertures in said members and said beams,

one of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies being pinned by said pins to said beams of the associated column after which the fluid motor associated therewith is energized to move either its piston or cylinder relative to the other to raise and lower said load beam,

the apertures in the other of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies aligning with other apertures in said columns, one of said pins then being placed in each of said aligned apertures to support said cross-head assemblies, said one of said members of each cross-head assembly then being unpinned so that the unmoved pistonlor cylinder of the fluid motor may be moved relative to the other to reposition said cross-head member on said columns.

6. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said fluid motor comprises a hydraulic device.

7. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said apertures in said beams and said members comprise key-hole slots elongated vertically of the columns with their lower arcuate configuration having a diameter substantially equal to diameter of said pins and their upper arcuate configuration larger than the diameter of said pins.

8. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein:

12 semblies, whereby said pins may be guided into and out of said apertures in said beams and said members by workmen standing on said cross-head assemblies. 11. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein: said cylinder of each motor is attached to theupper one of the members of one of the cross-head assemblies, and the piston is attached to the lower one of the members. 

1. A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo from one position to another comprising: a frame, said frame comprising a pair of spaced substantially vertically arranged columns, a pair of cross-head assemblies one for each column, each cross-head assembly being slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the column, each cross-head assembly comprising a pair of vertically spaced members extending between and slidably mounted on its associated column, a load beam positioned between said columns and supported on its ends by said cross-head assemblies; and means for moving said cross-head assemblies longitudinally of said columns for raising and lowering said load beam, said means comprising a pair of fluid motors one for each of said cross-head assemblies, said motors each comprising a cylinder and a piston, said cylinder of each motor being attached to one of said members of a cross-head assembly, and said piston being connected to the other of said members of said cross-head assembly, each of said columns being provided with apertures spaced along its length, each of said members being provided with an aperture at each end thereof for aligning with apertures in said columns at various places along their lengths, and pins for insertion through the apertures in said members and said columns, one of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies being pinned to said associated column after which the fluid motor associated therewith is energized to move either its piston or cylinder relative to the other to raise and lower said load beam, the apertures in the other of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies aligning with other apertures in said columns, one of said pins then being placed in each of said aligned apertures to support said cross-head assemblies, said one of said members of each cross-head assembly then being unpinned so that the unmoved piston or cylinder of the fluid motor may be moved relative to the other To reposition said cross-head members on said columns.
 2. A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo from one position to another comprising: a frame, said frame comprising a pair of spaced substantially vertically arranged columns mounted on a base, the lower end of each of said columns being supported on said base in a ball and socket type joint for substantial point support of said columns on said base, a pair of cross-head assemblies one for each column, each cross-head assembly being slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the column, each cross-head assembly comprising a pair of vertically spaced members extending between and slidably mounted on its associated column, a load beam positioned between said columns and supported on its ends by said cross head assemblies, and means for moving said cross head assemblies longitudinally of said columns for raising and lowering said load beam, said means comprising a pair of fluid motors one for each of said cross-head assemblies, said motors each comprising a cylinder and a piston, said cylinder of each motor being attached to one of said members of a cross-head assembly, and said piston being connected to the other of said members of said cross-head assembly, each of said columns being provided with apertures spaced along its length, each of said members being provided with an aperture at each end thereof for aligning with apertures in said columns at various places along their lengths, and pins for insertion through the apertures in said members and said columns, one of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies being pinned to said associated column after which the fluid motor associated therewith is energized to move either its piston or cylinder relative to the other to raise and lower said load beam, the apertures in the other of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies aligning with other apertures in said columns, one of said pins then being placed in each of said aligned apertures to support said cross-head assembly then being unpinned so that the unmoved piston or cylinder of the fluid motor may be moved relative to the other to reposition said cross-head members on said columns.
 3. The jacking frame set forth in claim 2 wherein: the lower end of each of said columns terminates in an arcuate surface for loosely fitting into a socket on said base.
 4. The jacking frame set forth in claim 2 wherein: the lower end of each of said columns terminates in a pin like structure the lower end of which is rounded, and said socket loosely fitting around said pins.
 5. A jacking frame for hoisting and transporting cargo from one position to another comprising: a frame, said frame comprising a pair of spaced substantially vertically arranged columns mounted on a base, the lower end of each column being supported on said base in a ball and socket type joint for substantial point support of said columns on said base, each of said columns comprising a pair of spaced beams, a pair of cross-head assemblies one for each column, each cross-head assembly being arranged to span the gap between the beams of a different one of said columns and slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the column, each cross-head assembly comprising a pair of vertically spaced members extending between and slidably mounted on said beams of its associated column, a load beam positioned between said columns and supported on its ends by said cross-head assemblies, means for moving said cross-head assemblies longitudinally of said beams of said columns for raising and lowering said load beam, said means comprising a pair of fluid motors one for each of said cross-head assemblies, said motors each comprising a cylinder and a piston, said cylinder of each motor being attached to one of said members of a cross-head assembly, and its associated piston being connected to the other oF said members of the cross-head assembly, each of said beams of each of said columns being provided with apertures spaced along its length, each of said members being provided with an aperture at each end thereof for aligning with apertures in said beams at various places along their lengths, and pins for insertion through the apertures in said members and said beams, one of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies being pinned by said pins to said beams of the associated column after which the fluid motor associated therewith is energized to move either its piston or cylinder relative to the other to raise and lower said load beam, the apertures in the other of said members of each of said cross-head assemblies aligning with other apertures in said columns, one of said pins then being placed in each of said aligned apertures to support said cross-head assemblies, said one of said members of each cross-head assembly then being unpinned so that the unmoved piston or cylinder of the fluid motor may be moved relative to the other to reposition said cross-head member on said columns.
 6. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein: said fluid motor comprises a hydraulic device.
 7. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein: said apertures in said beams and said members comprise key-hole slots elongated vertically of the columns with their lower arcuate configuration having a diameter substantially equal to diameter of said pins and their upper arcuate configuration larger than the diameter of said pins.
 8. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein: said fluid motors are actuated substantially simultaneously.
 9. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 in further combination with: trolley means mounted on said load beam for movement longitudinally thereof and, cable means mounted to extend downward from said trolley means for attaching to cargo to be moved.
 10. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein: said pins are mounted on tracks, said tracks are fixedly attached to said cross-head assemblies, whereby said pins may be guided into and out of said apertures in said beams and said members by workmen standing on said cross-head assemblies.
 11. The jacking frame set forth in claim 5 wherein: said cylinder of each motor is attached to the upper one of the members of one of the cross-head assemblies, and the piston is attached to the lower one of the members. 